Tests in the south of Spain: How the eActros 600 copes with extreme heat

Temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius – for around five weeks, test engineers from Mercedes‑Benz Trucks put the eActros 600 to the test in Andalusia, southern Spain. Among other things, the air conditioning system, the performance of the electric drivetrain and the battery thermal management, as well as charging processes at fast charging stations, for example, were all tested. After completion of the tests, a prototype of the battery‑electric long‑distance haulage truck also completed the over 2,000‑kilometre route from Granada via Valencia, Barcelona, Montpellier and Lyon back to the Mercedes‑Benz Trucks development and testing centre in Wörth am Rhein – all on its own wheels!

"We have been subjecting the eActros 600 to rigorous test procedures since last year. After winter testing in Finland early this year, where the truck was subjected to bitter temperatures of as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, as well as its first tests on public roads, the electric truck was then put through its paces in over 40‑degree Celsius temperatures in Spain. The truck has passed these challenging tests with flying colours. Now we are looking forward to the next step of testing in real‑life operation with our customers", says Dr Konrad Götz, Deputy Head of Global Testing Mercedes‑Benz Trucks.

Three battery packs deliver over 600 kWh.

Three battery packs provide the eActros 600 with an installed total capacity of over 600 kWh in series production and two electric motors as part of the new e-axle generate a continuous output of 400 kW as well as a peak output of over 600 kW. The high battery capacity should provide a range of 500 kilometres without recharging. In addition to the semitrailer tractor, Mercedes‑Benz Trucks will also manufacture platform chassis variants of the electric truck immediately upon market launch. The development engineers at Mercedes‑Benz Trucks have designed the eActros 600 to meet the same durability requirements for vehicles and components as a comparable conventional heavy‑duty long‑haul Actros. That means an operational performance of 1.2 million kilometres across ten years.

The eActros 600 uses batteries with lithium iron phosphate cell technology (LFP). These are characterised above all by a long service life and more usable energy. The eActros 600 batteries in series production should be able to be charged from 20 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes at a charging station with a capacity of around one megawatt.

On the 10th October, the eActros 600 celebrates its world premiere. The vehicle is set to be ready for series production in 2024.

Photos and video: Daimler Truck AG